Assembly majority leader elected

Waukesha Republican has been controversial figure for Democrats

Sep. 4, 2013

Written by

Scott Bauer

Associated Press

Kramer

More

ADVERTISEMENT

MADISON — Rep. Bill Kramer, a Republican from Waukesha who has angered Democrats and spectators with his sometimes flamboyant and confrontational style, was elected Wednesday to the second highest position in the Assembly.

Kramer defeated Rep. Dean Knudson, of Hudson, to become the Republican Assembly majority leader. Kramer was elected in a secret vote of the 59 Republicans in the Assembly. Exact vote totals were not released.

Kramer takes over as majority leader for Rep. Scott Suder, who resigned his position Tuesday to take a job in Gov. Scott Walker’s administration.

Kramer, in brief comments after his election victory was announced, said he was committed to working closely with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and to increase the Republican majority.

The majority leader is second in power only to the speaker of the Assembly. The job involves scheduling bills and directing action during debate. Kramer was replaced in his old job presiding over the Assembly as speaker pro tempore by Rep. Tyler August, of Lake Geneva.

The Assembly won’t be back in session until the middle of October.

Kramer embraced his job presiding over the Assembly, showing a charming knack for knowing the legislative district numbers of all 99 members and often breaking out into loud laughter while joking with his colleagues, Democrats and Republicans alike.

But he also displayed a testiness bordering on anger over the frequent protests and interruptions from spectators in the gallery, including during the marathon 61-hour filibuster over the collective bargaining bill in 2011. Kramer was a strict enforcer of Assembly rules barring signs, cameras, clapping or other outbursts.

Kramer also said he sometimes carries a concealed handgun onto the floor of the Assembly for his own personal safety.

An attorney and CPA, he was first elected to the Assembly in 2006 and immediately drew attention to himself.

Kramer was the only lawmaker who applauded a line in Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle’s 2007 budget address mentioning that oil companies had made record profits. Doyle was using the line as part of his reason to raise taxes on the companies, but Kramer said profits were the state’s economic lifeblood.

Knudson, who challenged Kramer, will remain a member of the Legislature’s powerful budget-writing Joint Finance Committee. Knudson was first elected in 2010.

Suder announced last month that he was leaving the seat he’s held since 1999 to take a job with the Public Service Committee. Walker on Wednesday called a special election for Nov. 19, with a primary if necessary on Oct. 22. The 69th Assembly District covers central Wisconsin east of Eau Claire.

August was unopposed to take over Kramer’s old position presiding over the Assembly. Rep. Andre Jacque, R-DePere, had been running but dropped out on Tuesday, saying he had to stay home and take care of his wife after she broke her foot and he could not make two scheduled Republican meetings, including Wednesday’s vote.